New therapeutic compounds against resistand fungi

A silent microbial pandemic, comparable to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, is related to fungi. More than 150 million people now acquire serious fungal diseases per year. Of these, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are killing more than 1.5 million people globally. In Aftenposten March 24 2023, a frightening alarm is communicated to the Norwegian people: post-Covid multi-resistant fungi, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatis, is rapidly spreading in the US. As evident in US in 2023, these strains appear to be particularly resistant to marketed antifungal drugs (azoles) and can spread quickly in healthcare settings and in society. This new silent pandemic related to fungi has been under the radar during viral pandemics and bacterial endemics. Our research group SYNFAS at The University of Oslo (UiO), develops antimicrobial products. During the winter 2022/2023 we made a new startling discovery: the synthetic intermediate TPA-CO2Me from our ongoing antimicrobial research had activity against not only fungi but also resistant tuberculosis (TB). Confirmed by recent literature, the chemical class to which TPA-CO2Me belong, also has effect against resistant fungi, with a huge medical need and substantial market potential. The synthesis and testing of drug candidates has already started at UiO and OUS. However, a qualification project is needed to a) complete synthesis, b) conduct a proof of concept (PoC) microbiological study at Oslo University Hospital (OUS) to verify the antifungal effect, and c) secure new IP. The next step is an application for verification funding to conduct further microbiological studies in vitro/in vivo, to verify and solidify the TB/antifungal effects of about 10 screening candidates and develop chemistry manufacturing and control (CMC). The FUNGOmere project group is a team of experienced UiO/OUS employees with decades of experience and know-how from academia and pharmaceutical industry.

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